Greater Des Moines Partnership · 6 hours ago
Director of Business Growth and Expansion
Des Moines,IA,US
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
3+ years expGreater Des Moines Partnership is focused on economic development in the region, and they are seeking a Director of Business Growth & Expansion. This role involves attracting new economic development projects and assisting local businesses with their expansion efforts, while overseeing various business innovation initiatives and maintaining relationships with local partners.
CommunitiesNon ProfitSharing EconomySocial
Responsibilities
Identifies and attracts new economic development projects to the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region and assisting local businesses with expansion in the region
Leads strategy development for new targeted markets, assisting with national marketing trips, attending trade shows and industry related events, meeting with local employers to identify expansion potential within the region, and maintaining a strong working relationship with state and local partners
Oversees business innovation and entrepreneurship efforts and coordinates all aspects of the business recruitment and expansion process including identification, site and building selection assistance, financial incentive identification & application assistance, and workforce recruitment & training
Travel up to 30% of the year, including throughout the 12-county region, throughout the nation and international travel as needed
Heavy sales focus to fill funnel with project leads through proactive relationship-building throughout the region, state, national and globe
Identifies, develops and proposes new business segment opportunities for recruitment purposes and opportunities to improve local economic development preparedness
In cooperation with the Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, develops strong relationships with university partners to connect local businesses to research and development opportunities and business assistance programs offered
Oversees work related to supporting entrepreneurs and building the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, including growth opportunities coming out of university programs
In cooperation with Director of Economic Development, assists with business recruitment efforts, economic development project marketing/sales, and prospect visits
Develops and participates in recruitment trips to identified major metropolitan areas by proactive outreach to schedule meetings and managing trip details
Implements data-driven lead generation activities (virtual and in-person). Examples: Sales Navigator, Gazelle, Leadfeeder, etc
Plans, executes and attends trade show marketing trips
Creative problem-solving, opportunity-generator
Supports Existing Industry Program to identify potential expansions
Serves as a point of contact in the Greater Des Moines region for business executives to access information on local business expansions, new business locations, or business relocations
Serves as a liaison between business executives and state & local officials to address business development issues
Develops and gives presentations on the advantages of doing business in DSM
Understands and can articulate information regarding state, local and federal economic development programs
Develops and maintains a network of business contacts to identify expansion opportunities and assists with the external headquarters visitation program
Develops and maintains a strong relationship with local economic development and real estate partners
Documents and prepares information for SVP of Economic Development as needed
Leads special projects and initiatives as identified
Other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Must be comfortable with public speaking engagements
Excellent sales and relationship management
Ability to see pathways to grow and support multi-sector relationships
Simultaneously manage several tasks, prioritize and solve problems proactively and on short notice
Excellent human relations skills and good understanding of group dynamics
Strong overall organizational and Investor relations abilities
Strong written and oral communications
Proficient in office technology
Highly self-motivated
Team player with 'we over me' approach
Bachelor's degree in business, Public Administration, Urban Planning & Development, or other business-related field
Minimum 3-5 years of related experience
Preferred
Experience in economic development is preferred
Continued education in economic development courses or business training courses
Company
Greater Des Moines Partnership
Greater Des Moines Partnership is a nonprofit organization that provides economic, strategic planning, and community development services.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Tiffany Tauscheck, CCE, IOM, CDME
President & CEO
Courtney Shaw, APR
Chief Communications Officer (CCO)
Recent News
Corridor Business Journal
2025-11-04
2025-10-27
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